August 29, 2018 4.43 pm This story is over 67 months old

Talks to secure long-term future of Lincoln Steampunk Festival

Organisers say they are working to secure the event’s long term future
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The Asylum Steampunk Festival will return to the city next year, despite reported concerns over the event’s growth.

Lincoln BIG has confirmed that the festival will be making a return in 2019 after hundreds of thousands of Steampunk fans descended on the city last weekend.

The organisation said that talks were ongoing to establish a bigger partnership of stakeholders to secure the long-term future of the huge annual event.

There were previously calls amongst organisers and attendees for more support and funding to continue running the event and step it up to the next level.

Chief executive of Lincoln BIG, Matt Corrigan, said: “The Steampunk weekend is hugely important to the local economy, bringing a boost for local shopkeepers and attracting extra visitors.

“We have been talking to the organiser to explore ways of working together to secure its longer-term future in Lincoln.

“Given the complexity of an event of this scale and the number of venues involved, it will take a little while before an announcement can be made.”

John Naylor, the festival organiser, said: “The festival organisers are very happy to work with Lincoln BIG, the city council and the county council to take the event forward.

“This year’s event was a high success and we would like to look forward to many more in Lincoln if the people and businesses of the city want us to be there and can help us make it work.”

Check out our gallery of the best dressed at the Steampunk festival this year.